Ya know i read about the grateful dead and there various incarnations everyday and i have yet to voice an opinion. i saw GD, Phil and friends, the dead, Bob weir and Ratdog, Bobby and the Waybacks and furthur and ya no i can honestly say like em all.
O warren sucks, o larry campbell sucks o bobby sucks, like ya no what get over yourselves...bobby shouldnt sing this song fake jerry shouldnty sing that song, i like how everybody nos better then bobby and phil. i wish i could meet some of u pewople to be surrounded and blessed by ur fantastic opinions cause everyone seems to no how they should play there music.
i love the dead bobby jerry phil micky bill donna brent etc if u dont like fake jerry or warren or whatever then dont go c them, but definagtely dont waste ur time posting about it and complaining, go c phish or widespread and waste ur money and time there
thank u bobby for still playing, thank u phil for comming back after all of ur surgeries to give the kids something to dance to god bless the grateful dead

I've been reading some of the previous reviews and I have to chuckle.We talk about blowing a song,slow tempo,weak vocals.I'm 59 and have 130 or so shows under my belt,which is bigger than it was 40yrs ago.I don't dance with the vigor I once did.I used to be on my feet for the whole show and now I sit down for a slow song.Acid?No thanks.Party all nite?I'm home and having an affair with my pillow by 2am.As for blowing songs or not so great shows...that has been part of the magic since Day 1.Thats what makes the great shows...GREAT.

THANK YOU FOR A REAL GOOD TIME!!

in the fact that the one think keeping these shows from being 'amazing' is the way they (bob and phil) are not sharing the vocals and letting the 'hired gun' do his part-
love phil and love bobby-
but JK has the vocals to make songs great-
phil should stick to the 'phil' songs.
bobby and some of his spoken word vocals is interesting, but lagging.
just my 2 pennies- but if you got him (JK)- use him.

i agree wit what your saying Scott, but Phil is definitely the #1 man in these shows.

i cant wait till January 22 at the BOB at U Del!!!!

I, like many of you, is very grateful to get to see any more live Dead performances, in any incarnation, be it Other Ones, Dead, Phil & Friends, Ratdog or whathave you. My perspective is that if Phil and Bobby had enough confidence to higher on John Kadlecik to fill the "Jerry" Roll both on guitar and on vocals, well than why not let him sing the appropriate songs. Don't get me wrong, I respect both Bobby and Phil for the 44+ years of the greatest music and performances ever. But, for example, the Asbury Park show I caught in December, which by all accounts was phenomenal, when Bobby sang Sugaree, he absolutely murdered the song. It was so underwhelming and painfully frustrating to listen to, being that it is one of my favorite Jerry tunes. And why let John K sing ALL of Terrapin and then Bobby steps up to sing the last chorus. It almost feels like he's over compensating for having been #2 to Jerry for all those years prior and now he'll take the limelight as often as he can. I concur wholeheartedly with Hank. I know Bobby is "the front man" now but I feel his showman mentality diminishes the overall performance, in my humble opinion.

One last after thought, Brent Mydland been dead nearly 20 years, and arguably one of the best vocalists they ever had, why is it then that most if not all of his songs are completely omitted from ever post Grateful Dead group's performances?

What I've enjoyed most about the past years is that both Bob and Phil play more and take more risks. For me, the Warren tour was most interesting for Bobby world---for example, that second night at Worcester was killer. But I agree that Furthur could use more snap. My guess is that they are starting carefully and will build their tempo and speed as they get to know the terrain better. What, New years was their 10th show? The kind of music they play takes time to grow. I will say, however, that this band does the China Cat-Scarlet-Eyes stuff better than the Warren band did. I'm looking forward to this month's tour.

hank, i've read some of your other "reviews". obviously you do not like bob weir. personally i love bobby, and am completely psyched that he is (finally) playing with phil. bobby is as "grateful dead" as any other member, and a CORE component to the music and spirit. just wanted to throw that out there.

These are great jams, but isn't anyone tired of Bobby's slow clunky tempos? I've never really enjoyed that slap-back delay tone that he has grown into. I think that his 'ratdog' tempos are the one thing that is keeping this band handicapped. Yes, he is solid once they are in the groove, but I think some livelier tempos (which all these members are capable of) would create the super-group that we all hoped for in the last 12 years of watching John K. NOT playing with phil and bob.
Like every post-dead group when it begins, everyone claims that Furthur is the greatest thing since the dead, no matter what. I know that the energy is there, the excitement of this new sound keeps all of us grateful for what these guys still do. But I'm just kind of tired of these clunky tempos for the entire show. Man, from Loose Lucy to The Wheel, I just felt bored. Bobs talking lack-luster vocals don't help either (good thing we all know the words). Sorry everybody, I thought there needed the be some criticism in the midst of all these all-praising reviews.

Amazing show. I went with my 19 y/o son. He digs the music but never seen 'em. Takes me back to my first show when I was 18 (12/30/78 Pauley UCLA).
About Phil singing, We should all be Grateful to have any Phil at all. We almost lost him shortly after Jerry. I can over look some vocal deficiencies. The room was absolutly overflowing with pure Joy!

I got goosebumps during St. Stephen-that's enough for me to call it a hell of a show no matter who is playing the music. The set-list is too much-everything that I have ever wanted to hear in a show. Wish I could have been there.

sold out hard rk orlando

Hockey - man, that was an awesome work of prose... and I was almost there with you(Bobby's loose Lucy was passable) until i was listening to this fantastic show and loving that 2 minute starting groove to franklins tower when phil busts into it sounding like a melancholy beached whale... musically, this band is consistently better than the dead was the last four years they were around (not all the time, as that would be sacrelidge) but why not let JK sing this? his Franklins is amazing! I am sure you have heard him from DSO shows... I know they got used to singin these songs due to there solo efforts and that last Dead tour but JK is here now... Cut the boy loose!!!

such a great show, this band is getting eerily good at doing what they do.
With these newer recordings I've realized that even though I thought Phil and Bobby were calling all the shots, it now sounds like this band has no real leader, which is soooo cool.

Ratdog - bobby calls the shots, jay crushes the beat as the only drummer, and jeff takes things into uncharted territory as the GENIUS of the band.
PnF - phil calls the shots
DSO - jk leads in his "jerry position"
Joe Russo is almost always the only drummer in whatever group he's in, and has a powerful position as one of only two members in his main band, the Duo.

what we seem to have here is a bunch of leaders who are finding ways to work WITH one another in ways that have never been tried before. As a result, we have different ways of going about how shows are performed. Instrumentally speaking, they are all blending into one whole entity in a really smooth way, and each individual is giving up certain "norms" in their playing; like phil no longer being the most intense sound coming from the stage, jk is doing so much more raw improvisation than what he used to, and jeff is all over the place, sinking into the drum section and covering more ground than ever (maybe with the exception of ratdog with kimock, maaaaan that was a sick 2007 tour).
It's coming out in the singing too; for so many years now phil, bobby, and jk have gotten so used to singing certain songs, whether it be because of how the GD used to do it, or because of how phil and bobby have stepped up vocally and emotionally to take on the songs of a lost family member in recent years. I'm sure all three of those guys feel VERY strongly about the songs they have been delegated, it would be wrong to say that they have to give up certain singing privileges for one another. So, in true selfless fashion, rather than be stuck in a situation in which somebody is left out, all three singers have given up songs that they have loved singing so dearly, so that the others can sing them instead.

these guys are up to something awesome.

First to C.Shepard, the reviewer b4 me,very well put.

Now onto the show,

I like the '74 style intro to Jack Straw

Love the arrangement of the Wheel that these guys do.

Excellent execution on Slipknot. JK nails all the changes.

And with all the great jamming on this my favorite song of all this incedibility is
So Many Roads. Beautiful feel. JK great vocals.
And I hear John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" in here.
A nice added touch. Listen to the intro and right before they go back into the verses.
If not for few notes that deviate it you could be singing," I was dreaming of the past".
Thanks Phil.

As far as a rating, I'm not even gonna rate this, everybody knows how good this is.

Feller's if your ol lady left you- for whatever reason, and yo was lucky enough to get a new ol lady- would you spend yo time complaining, comparing the new lady to the old one, calling her the "fake ol lady". Complaining her sexy was was trying to imitate those of the previous ol lady- come on fellers get yopur hands outta your pockets and STOP COMPARING JOHN TO JERRY

Ok to get started, This is best line up since Jerry left the stage. All the Otherones and Dead line ups pale in comparison! Ratdog is Ratdog PNF is PNF. To say that this is fake dead or JK is an imposter is to be a blind man in the dark. If Mickey and Billy wanted anything to do with this they would be their. Plain and simple. They are doing other stuff. I read that towards the end of the last dead tour Billy said he was getting bored and the with warrens playing the music was FORMULIZED. Any way you put it. This is the best post grateful dead band I have heard since Jerry left us. Any way what Im saying is take it for what it is. Stop complaining about things. This is the best were gonna get. Jerry is gone and if u get confused listen to the music play!!! Hope this Band continues to give us all the great sounds they are dishing out. I love FURTHUR!! Thanks Bobby and Phil for giving us not what we want but what we need.

All I can say is having loved the Grateful Dead and their music for years this is without a doubt the best sounding stuff post Jerry. (And we all know even with Jerry the last years were very hit or miss.) Listening to these shows is amazing and JK isn't Jerry but he 'fits' well in that niche and is extremely talented, allowing the music to go to similiar places, places we all want it to go! Just a few thoughts for the naysayers: Jerry wasn't the Grateful Dead, he was just a part, an amazingly talented, much loved part. Jerry can't be replaced but the magic of the music and the songs (shout out to Mr. Hunter) shouldn't have to end. This lineup does it justice, it sounds good and captures a similiar magic or vibe. Did you really want to never here So Many Roads again? Or Stella Blue? Or Ship of Fools? Or did you really want to hear Phil sing them? I am so Grateful for this incarnaton and the music and I'll be seeing you in Asheville February 9th. I'll be the one grinning ear to ear....oh wait, might not be the only one! 'And the band kept playing on...'

i know its a long shot but by any chance is this the same pk that was walking around bonnaroo two years ago trying to find a pipe after the phil lesh show and during the kanye west debocal? my names paul im sure you would remember my friend zack better, haha if you somehow remember this time get back to me i have some news for you...

Ive been to quite a few NYE shows, with my birthday the same day... who could ask for a better present?! This year I gotta hand it to 'em, WHAT A PRESENT! They sounded the best I've heard them EVER! I agree with that one post... NO OPTION FOR THAT SIXTH STAR!!!!

Was lucky enough to be in the room for this show. Absolutely FANTASTIC. Agree with all the raves here - and especially those about the audience. Truly one of those events where the music and the crowd all came together. Honestly, re-listening to this I am amazed at how off Phil was on the lyrics to Time...all because EVERYONE around me knew them by heart and belted them out with gusto. Though the highlights were too plentiful to lists here, I have to say that welcoming in the new decade with the upbeat vibe of Golden Road was pretty special. If you get a chance, check out the youtube vids of the midnight stage extravaganza - BIG FUN! Can't wait for the Chicago shows!

This did not seem like a five hour show, but i guess it was. Nice to hear some stretches (with After Midnight, Golden Road, Time, So Many Roads!!) but mostly stuck to some basics setlist wise. I am grateful for an incredible evening of timeless happenings and weirdness.

Nice change up for Golden Road as the Happy New Year song. The Giant metalic skull was a funny camp way to throw back to the good ole' days of Bill Graham Presents. Thanks again.

We'll see what happens. Looks like these Rehearsal Sessions are producing some rarities that might end up superceding the new years show.

But taking it for what its worth: They gave the best they had to give, how much, they'll never know.

I gave some of their earlier Further shows 5 stars... I think I still may be one short here. Can Internet Archive add a 6th star to the rating system for this show?
Giddy-up.

Chills run down my spine. Just listen to this stuff.

Its hard to add any more to everyone's comments except to say that I agree. These were truly amazing and wonderful shows.

I attended both shows, as well as the three Fox shows. I won't go as far as to say that they fundamentally changed my life (the first 100+ GD shows already did that), but quite frankly I have been blown away by these guys. Can't imagine a better use of my very scarce time. (See my other reviews for more on my general response to this fantastic band. I can't repeat it all again here.)

Thanks guys! What a fantastic effort and great job.

PS Thanks so much also to the tapers. Great job, both nights. I confess to have hit "reload" a zillion times until 12/31 finally appeared earlier today.

Phil Bombs!!!! Check out the Jack Straw I think there is at least three, actually it is 5!!! :)
We have waited a long time to hear Phil's reckoning and we need it now more than ever.
What a way the end the lost decade and to begin the new one, lets hope it is all better for us moving forward. Having this music is a BLESSING. We all just have to keep on keeping on together with our family and the music.
Over all the this show is not as intense, or as tight, as the previous night to my ears. It seems JK had trouble keeping up with Bobby, who is on fire the entire night, and Phil.
Highlights for me are the two song opener, the KILLER Slipknot!, another moving Cassidy and hearing them try some completely surprising with Time and the begining of the third set through So Many Roads.
The Eleven is quite good into a rousing NFA.
I like the contribution of the back up singers too, although at points they do drown out Phil and Bobby.
We are on the Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion.
Peace and love to you all.
See you in February at Barton Hall :)

whoever said this is the end for the original dead members playing together i pray that their wrong. I need to experience the closest thing to The Grateful Dead before this happens. But there will always be Dark Star Orchestra. And the 50th aniversary is coming up. unlikely to be ignored

I am kicking myself for not putting the effort into getting out to SF for at least one show. I love that Bob & Phil finally let go and have allowed a Dead cover band guitarist to breathe new life into the music. It sounds great, and I get those chills again! Well done on the recording! Thanks!!

pkhippe

Wow. It was like 1977 all over again. This band is pure fire. Some intresting passages, some blistering ones.

My photo album http://picasaweb.google.com/bennyboy420/SFFURTHURFlowersHatsNYE2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ7FspOB1JHbPw#

johns solo right before whoowhoowhoo singing made me get up and holler!

Very good night full of energy,good times shakedown street always cool into jack straw,candyman,truckin,help on the way,slip,franklins tower,cassidy,the wheel,"TIME"the wheel,uncle johns band,and my favorite let it grow!HAPPY NEW YEAR!trav,jim,jake,and all my heady friend.peace

Grate show they're on a roll man, can't wait for the next one, if anyone has extra tix for the portland show please lemme know I'm gettin raped on the internet tpn730@yahoo.com peace, timmay

Excellent recording! Best concert since Jerry left the building.
2010 looking good for Deadheads.... see you on tour!

This was an incredible experience, the crowd was so unique and energetic. I was one of the 'new' deadheads I guess, but I talked to so many people from all over the years, from 20 or so all the way to 75. It seemed like the crowd loved every second of the show. It was amazing seeing someone 40 years older then me, higher, and dancing with more energy than me! (And trust me, that was a feat)

Personally, So many roads was the high point of the show for me. The entire band was into it, but I don't think I have ever heard anything in the world like John's solo and soulful singing during. Other high points were Let It Grow, St. Stephen, and Cryptical>Cross-eyed>Other One. Time was a really good cover.

SOUNDS AWESOME-WILL BE @ BARTON HALL TO SEE FOR REAL!!!! THEN THE UTICA AUD!!!!!!!!!!!

I too have seen a lot of great shows over the years...and each was its own experience. What's important is that this music and equally as important this "community" is still very alive today and still evolving. One side note...whether it was intended or not, as a means of showing respect for anyone that would be tasked with following in Jerry's shoes, and/or "officially" welcoming John K into this role, I appreciated that the band carved out a few minutes of special spotlight time for John K with So Many Roads...and he nailed it. I love and appreciate all the iterations since Jerry's flight home, but Furthur is really special! Can't wait for my Live Downloads of these two nights...and hopefully many more to come!

I'll leave the note for note reviews to others... I'm an old school Deadhead, a Spinner if you care, and a Jerry devotee from way back in the '70s. I've seen better shows, Cornell '77 is still legendary, that Miami show from '74, Fillmore East '71, and all the Brent years.

But, and I'm going out on a limb here, New Years 2009 was easily one of the best Dead Shows I've personally experienced, ever. And yes, the consensus is in, that ladies and gentlemen was a genuine Grateful Dead show.

I know it's called Furthur, and that Billy is in Hawai'i and Mickey was elsewhere as well. And "Fake Jerry" was playing, and it wasn't the Dead at all. But it was...

In the middle of the first set it happened. Enough fine herb was smoked, enough L was spilled on the floor, enough love was shared, enough of us "got it". From that moment on the music completely played the band for the rest of the night.

The rest is history...

No words. I Know I have seen better playing, but as a whole I have never seen a show that equals this. Love yall! hope to dance with all of you!!

Highlights for me on this show were the jams during Trucking, Wheel, Dark Star, and the cover of Pink Floyd's Time. Seeing folks much younger than me dancing and getting into it is priceless, something to cherish. The three sets have spoiled me for future shows

Not captured here well is the crowd, which was joyous and pretty loud at times. Think what you will about the newer folks coming in, the community is alive and well once you're inside. The surface demographics might have shifted a bit,
but I still feel the love and acceptance from the crowd that this music inspires and promotes. We need this music as a unifying force, and Furthur delivers it just in time.

The only thing holding Furthur back will be Phil & Bobby's age. Go see them while you can, and take the youngins cause this lineup captures and delivers the spirit of the music and pleases the crowd.

This performance was better than 12/30 but still lacked the long involved and imaginative jams that Furthur has performed on other accasions in it's short existence.

They were able to pull off the the nice vocals on The Wheel though and the Nobody's Fault inro. to Truckin' was a nice touch. After Midnight and the Pink Floyd covers were very nicely rendered. All in all 4 stars and I think that is being generous.

What I have noticed consistently through Furthur Festivals, Other Ones, The Dead and now Furthur is the sequential fading away of the music. It is still the same music but things have slowed down, incrementally, more than pinch. I don't know how to explain this other than, to me, it feels like skeletons crawling through the attics of my mind. I think that is really cool and appropriate and I hope all of the Heads out there are appreciating this music as it is, for what it is. (<>):~{}

the setlist alone is orgasmic.

KEEP on TRUCKING in 2010. God BLESS the Grateful Dead

I thought 12/30 was good until I heard this! It just keeps getting better and better!

Wow! That's all that can be said to describe this show. Starts off with a killer Shakedown and the great jams continue throughout. Time was unexpected (maybe because of the blue moon?). It's a shame Phil messed up the lyrics. Furthur is the real deal. Easily the best post-Dead band. Can't wait to see them later this year.

Happy new year!